The Opening of an Era of Advancement
and the International Role
of the Lee Myung-bak Administration

January 17, 2008

Good morning, everyone,

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Korea. During this period, the Korean people have achieved a miracle of industrialization and a high level of democracy, undauntedly rising from the division of the country and the ashes of war.

With industrialization and democratization as a steppingstone, the Republic of Korea is now about to open the door to advancement. An advanced nation will be the unwavering hope and goal of all the Korean people.

Since the presidential election, leaders of many countries have congratulated me and even sent special envoys to visit me. I am deeply grateful to the international community for its interest and support.

I envision the objective of the new administration as the pursuit of change in harmony and the accomplishment of great change in stability. I am committed to recovering the core values and right direction of our society, which have been neglected by a consuming ideological debate.

Creative pragmatism will be the guiding principle of the incoming Government. The value of pragmatism, however, should be differentiated from expediency. Flexible and creative alternatives should be sought on the basis of firm principles. To this end, I believe, thorough self-reflection and agonizing introspection are a must. With future-oriented thinking and practical behavior, I will stand at the forefront of a great transformation, which will change the structural framework.

The Lee Myung-bak Administration will practice the politics of unity, bringing about economic satisfaction and happiness for the people. The Government will strive to broaden the horizons of the people to help them look beyond Asia toward the rest of the world. In addition, it aims at making a truly Global Korea, which will stay in step with the global community. We will put additional efforts into making a more stable and secure Korean Peninsula, a more prosperous Asia and a more just international order.

To realize these goals, among other things, the Republic will channel all its efforts into resolving the North Korean nuclear issue once and for all and creating a new peace mechanism on the Korean Peninsula. The denuclearization process is currently behind schedule, but we will cope with the situation prudently with patience. We will work more closely with participating countries in the Six-Party Talks, including the United States, Japan, China and Russia.

The Administration will also exert all-out efforts to promote dialogue and exchanges with North Korea. If the North abandons its nuclear program, the South will take the initiative in raising an international cooperation fund amounting to about US$40 billion and provide a comprehensive aid package to upgrade five sectors in the North—the economy, finance, education, the infrastructure and living conditions. The goal of this blue print is to help the North increase its per capita income to US$3,000 over the next 10 years.

As far as I am concerned, the North's nuclear issue should be resolved in a fundamental and productive manner, which in turn should serve as a historic precedent conducive to bolstering the international counterproliferation regime. By making the North's denuclearization a success story, we need to create a new environment where the international community can restore its confidence in North Korea. To this end, South Korea will step up cooperation with the international community.

For the security goals of Korea and regional stability, the alliance between South Korea and the United States will be reconstructed in a creative manner. In the face of the new global environment in the 21st century, Korea and the United States remain committed to contributing to the stability of the Korean Peninsula and Asia-Pacific region and promoting peace and prosperity in the world. This effort will be based on the values of free democracy and a market economy. To realize these goals, the two countries will make efforts to give concrete shape to the strategic visions of the Korea-U.S. alliance.

Asia will be the growth engine of the global economy in the 21st century. Now is the time for Asian countries to engage in a paradigm shift for the unreserved opening of borders and proactive exchanges. Both Japan and China are of huge significance to our national interests. Based upon common values, relations with Japan will be developed in a manner that contributes not only to the interests of both countries but also to those of the global community. As for China, the biggest trading partner of Korea, economic as well as political, social and cultural ties will be further strengthened, thus establishing a genuine partnership.

In order to deepen relations with Russia, we are now planning to prepare concrete action plans. Among them, energy cooperation in Siberia and technical exchanges will serve as a catalyst for further upgrading South Korea-Russia relations.

ASEAN is also a region of great significance for the future of Korea. The regional body is a crucial partner for Korea in terms of trade and cultural exchanges.

The incoming administration will remain widely engaged with not only our traditional allies such as Australia and New Zealand but also with India, Central Asia and the Middle East. Going beyond Asian diplomacy, I am pinning high expectations on the expansion of ties with the European Union. It is an important economic partner for Korea. On top of this, the EU has so far played important roles as a pioneer in many areas such as human rights. In particular, the Helsinki Process provides us with many lessons to learn.

Under the next administration, the top priority will be placed on pragmatic economic diplomacy. We will ratify the FTA with the United States at the earliest possible time. In addition, we will take a positive stance toward the ongoing FTA negotiations with the EU for the sake of mutual benefits. We will proactively engage in feasibility studies concerning FTAs with other countries.

Recently, in order to revive the Korean economy, I have had extensive discussions with many business people representing various sectors. I know as much as anyone else what the Korean people want. The people are consistently telling me to nurture new growth engines.

The international economic environment is not favorable now. But the country will overcome the difficulties without fail with the Korean people's extraordinary determination and efforts.

Revitalization of the Korean economy will help the recovery of the world economy not to mention the regional economy. A stronger foundation for the Korean economy will certainly contribute to the prosperity and stability of the world in general.

Particularly, the Government will reform investment conditions in Korea for foreign businesses. As I have already mentioned many times, the Government will turn Korea into an “investment paradise.” The new investment environment should be as good as that in Singapore or Dubai. In order to achieve these goals, the country will have to abolish many regulations and stabilize the labor market. To this end, the Government will lend its ears more closely to the voices of the people in the field.

In the meanwhile, Korea will actively engage in eliminating threats to human security, such as environmental degradation, human rights infringements, poverty and diseases.

Korea will join forces so that the international climate convention and other pending global issues will be settled. The new Government is committed to resolving various common global challenges. Korean Government's Official Development Assistance and other material aid for other countries will be expanded gradually.

Peace Corps-type volunteers will be dispatched to other countries so that young Koreans will actually join in international effort to eradicate poverty and diseases worldwide. Under the slogan of “Cultural Korea,” the country's diplomatic horizon will be expanded further. That is because we cannot emphasize the importance of culture too much in this 21st century. Especially, Asian countries will be able to broaden two-way communication by vitalizing cultural exchanges. This then will pave the way for a unified community in the future.

The 21st century should be one of international harmony and integration. Korea will reach out to the world and the world will knock on the doors of Korea. In the course of this kind of mutual exchanges, we will discover new roles and new approaches to the issues of today.

In a way, the Republic has so far followed the path prepared by other countries. However, the country is now poised to prepare the road and set up a milestone together with other countries. The Korean people will continue to show more interest and creativity and will work harder to prepare that path.

The Lee Myung-bak Administration of Korea will reach out to the world with a sincere stance. My Administration will strive to fulfill its roles and responsibilities in the process of helping establish a more desirable world order.

Thank you very much.